Our journey has begun, and we departed LAX around noon, Thursday the 14^th, traveled to Shanghai, China for a glorious 15 hours or so. Once entering the international terminal we were simply just the minority. Maybe 3 other Caucasian folk at our gate, Jen and I were two of them so you get my drift. We entered the plane to find that there are close to 500 seats AND Jen and I are 30 rows apart from one another.

Mission one, we sweet talked our ways to sit next to each other, hand gestures did wonders, I gave up my window seat to be next to Jen-Jen in isle 67G both of us are in the middle of a 4 person row. As soon as I sat down I realized planes were not meant for 5’10 girls and quickly noticed that half the passenger’s feet dangled including Jen. This would be interesting.

 Mission two, we napped right off the bat, we twisted ourselves in a comfy position, I told Jen, “If I snore you wake me, AND if you smell food and my behind isn’t awake to wake me as well” she agreed and our snooze began. Hours later I was waken with a lil pat, then immediately  asked if I wanted “poor and rye” or if I wanted “fi and nootle” I went with “poor and rye” and after pulling back the foil I found some PORK AND RICE mmm. Now I was raised to clean my plate and if you cant do that to at least try everything in front of you. I am not picky, nor have I ever had any issues with pork and rice. WELL ladies and gentlemen was I in for it. I wont go into detail mostly because I will gag, but the pork was a jello flub substance that had a distinct plastic smell if you will and quite frankly tasted as it smelt. The rice looked like rice tasted like hmm plastic. I slowly ate, looked around most people were scarfing and I nibbled a little more then had to stop, ate the dessert which was angel food cake extra dry with grape chunk jelly on top HEY it was delicious. Beverage choices were “yapple, orge, tomato, why, and bur.” I chose yapple, seemed like it would be apple and I stuck with it. 

 Mission three, watched “whip it” great movie, and I suppose we didn’t need to use headphones to watch our movie because no one else did…then we napped more same rules applied, if I snored or if food was being served wake a sister up. So time passed I was nudged again and was greeted with a silver hockey puck tossed my way. Opened it, and it was breakfast, some sort of breakfast egg sandwich, made McDonalds look like fine cuisine, but was familiar so we scarfed and even split a second helping.

 Mission four, nap, same rules, time passed, and it was dinner or hell lunch we didn’t know just time to eat again. I was stoked ready for what was next. Flight attendant smiled and said, “fi and nootle” or “poor and rye” yet again! I shook my head Jen laughing and I said you know this time I’ll choose “Fi and nootle” but don’t you worry it gets better. Fish and noodles was what it seemed to be…heavens, plastic smell/taste, ate my dessert and called it a day.

Mission five, we were landing in two hours, cake. Took one last snooze and we had finally landed our 15 hour first leg flight! Exiting the flight we entered Shanghai airport, and let me just say, Jen and I looked at each other and just started to laugh, we had just entered into a world were we are foreigners and smiling is about all we can do! We rushed with the pace of life and managed to figure out where the hell we were suppose to be and what lines to go in and what to say and what not to say, and finally with 3 hours to spare we got us some juice(with loads of pulp) and relaxed. Jen crashed on the floor next to me as I insisted on blogging.

Leg 2! Shanghai to Kunming, China, duration 4 hours, easy!

We slept the entire way and shortly past midnight we had arrived in Kunming, China. We entered the airport, and we had again entered the speedy pace of life, shoved from every angle, and was wanting to cover my face with a sac due to the pollution that hit us with full force. We grabbed a cart jammed our way through the thick crowds, found our luggage, and meet Walter, our Asian friend that knew 100 words of English so we thought he would be a keeper. Since we arrived so late we couldn’t change our US dollars to Yuan, so Walter kindly exchanged our money with his own, he then told us that the airport was soon closing and we must go to a hotel. After a 2 hour long process, a taxi ride from hell, and abduction that crossed our mind many times we had finally landed our tails in a 4 star hotel….4 star hotels come with a firm rock hard bed, cockroaches, and a lovely dumpster aroma. We honestly felt unsafe and remained curled next to each other and attempted to get some rest, we kept the lights onJ 8am Saturday woke up, gathered our stuff, and mobbed out, traveled down 8 levels and were in complete shock of the view from our hotel. YUCK. We entered the lobby, joining 50 other people, we of course were starred at like none other, it turned into a game, “the stare down”, we proceeded to check out and flag down a taxi. The streets were busy, lots of honking, people scrambling around; we were in awe of how the people transport goods/each other. Imagine a scooter, with 4 people on it, or a bag of 20 dead chickens, or ten 20lbs bags of rice, or children holding onto infants, no helmets, no speed limits, and no stopping. INSANE. Back at Kunming airport we arrived around 10am…our flight to Sri Lanka doesn’t leave till 4:30pm, we didn’t mind, for we finally had a chance to sit and grab a bit to eat.noodles. yum!

Last leg, Kunming to Colombo, Sri Lanka! 5 hours!

This being the most exciting flight for obvious reasons, we slept, ate, and as soon as our plane began to descend our eyes were glued to the window. What we saw seemed to be a massive island, least much larger then we thought. It was tropical, looked like a rainforest waiting to welcome us. From above all we could see were shacks intertwined within the forest, some roads, but nothing big, life from our view seemed pleasant, gorgeous, and exciting.

Exiting the plane, we were greeted by a wall of humidity that instantly made us want to shed our clothing. We proceeded to a bus that then took us to the airport building its self. Passing security guard after security guard, each holding a machine gun, we bit our tongues. It was 6:40pm on Saturday, the airport was empty, and welcoming with the largest smiles I have ever seen. We were quickly guided in the direction to get our bags, customs, and changing our US dollars to rupees. Needless to say we felt wealthy with our wad of rupees. 

We then began to look for a sign that was addressed “Travellers worldwide” that sign was never found, and we promptly were in the arms of Nerangela, our new mom! Jen and I finally felt relief, no more traveling, no more rush, no more tension. Nerangela started asking us about America, she then said to us, “this is Sri Lanka, my home, I have lived here my entire life, we are so free here. Its beautiful, and we are happy to have you.” My heart had melted, Nerangela was approx. 45-50 years of age, not married, but boy she was a beautiful looking women. The look in Sri Lanka was a darker Indian appearance, English was understood slightly, and EVERYONE was happy, not a soul not smiling, religion predominately Buddhism, and life was happy. I was hooked. We jumped into our van with our assigned driver by the name of Neesh, he then had us on our way. The diver sat on the opposite side, and drove on the opposite side of the road. Kim another volunteer was waiting for us in our van, she’s from Virginia,USA so basically we became best friends! On the trip to our new home we stopped at the market for we had to get “drink” to celebrate, Jen and I were sold on that idea! Then we stopped suddenly after Jen made a comment that she was hungry, Nerangela  jumped out of our moving van and grabbed three snack bags of “chick-peas” for Kim, Jen, and myself to snack on. About ten minutes later we turned off the busy, honking, dirt of a main road…onto well another dirt road that we soon found was the road of our neighborhood. Through a sewage alley, bump after bump, stray dog after dog, we stopped in front of a huge gate. Nerangela opened the gate and then we were presented with HOME for the next month!

At the house were 4 other volunteers from across the world(England, USA, Scottland, Canada,etc ) And in addition, Tootie the cat, Humpy the one eared dog, and Kaloo the two eared dogJThis was our family, and it felt nothing more then just that. Dinner was served before we could even unpack our bags. Consisted of noodles, tomato sauce, some cheese bread, and nectar juice. We scarfed and our stomachs couldn’t have been happier. After dinner we brought out the “drink”, and celebrated our arrival, and began to get to know our new family. The night vanished quickly and soon Jen an I made our way to our lil hole of a room. Tile floors, two twin beds, a fan above, and a bathroom connecting, we were set.  We slept damn near in the nude, the humidity forced us! We were lulled to bed with the chanting of some Buddhism chant. I didn’t mind, and Nerangela made it seem so nonchalant, that I was able to crash, and sleep well. Thankfully.

Nerangela proclaims that Sundays are fun days, we go shop, we go to water park, or play with elephants. My excitement was hard to hide I couldn’t believe that I was on the other side of the world in the hands of a country that a few months prior I didn’t know existed. Morning came early, I couldn’t sleep any longer. Monday we start “work”, the other volunteers made it very clear we aren’t volunteers when one asks, we are travellers, visiting, and that is it. So Monday we start our 9-5 job at the hospital near by, I cant wait to blog more, but I suppose I shall come to an end for now. 

Our journey has begun, myself and Jen couldn’t be happier. We are in the hands of the most pleasant people I have ever came across. Today Sunday June 17^th we begin an adventure that many cant even dream of. So to family and friends, we are safe, happy, and more then content with the life we have entered. Till next time!  

Hello!

Much to update, life has been a nonstop rush the past month, an finally I am able to catch my breath.


Most recently I have finished my second year of college and have left behind one phenomenal school that has been my foundation of the start of my college years! I couldn't have picked a more beautiful place.

Along with a fantastic campus, I also leave behind a group of best friends that are to good to be true, friends that will stick with me even states away!

 I debated changing the title of my blog from "Life on a Cliff" to something more fitting to my life now, but I thought, I think I was inspired to write due to the beauty of my Life I lived on my Cliff in California so, No, I'll keep the name, fits to perfectly!

Before leaving my bungalow, I read a letter of farewell to my closest friends, went something like this...

I entered the town of Isla vista not knowing my intentions, what I was doing on the Pacific Coast, why the hell I even left my parents, how I graduated high school, and honestly how I was blessed to spend my most important years of my life with you all.  My first year in IV was much of blur.  A fun blur, a time of learning, growing, and simply understanding if you will. Don’t get me wrong last year was my foundation, where I began my journey, BUT this year my second year has hit home, has squeezed my heart from tip to top....Emotional being my middle name, I end with thee, I leave behind the roots of my happiness, Life is now a new day alone, a new day I enter a world with my best friends now a phone call away, I leave this vastly beautiful soil to further my journey, I close this door and open a new one, behind that door I step away from a circle of the most influencing individuals I have came across, people that make me laugh, told me how it is, made me learn who I am and more importantly showed me how good life is. College is told to be the most joyful years in a human’s life, probably the truest statement about college. I have endured that life isn’t simple and life isn’t handed to you, I’ve also learned with the goodness of a pure heart and a smile on your face you can go incredibly far. The heart in this home has amplified my gratitude, for life simply doesn’t last forever. In final, I have cherished my moments to the fullest, I have learned things I will never forget, I have made friendships that will guide my life, and I continue to spread my heart to each of you.

I made my departure in the most perfect way I could think of for such a bitter sweet situation, I gladly closed the door of one place I hold dear to my heart! I have now quickly opened the next door, TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY! 

After arriving back within Texas soil, we packed up and ventured to San Marcos about a 5 hours drive from moms, and approximately 20 minutes from Austin, to my new home, Texas State! I toured the campus, ate some yummy food, and signed my new lease for this upcoming school year, may I add I will have my own room and bathroom, and a walk-in closet the size of my old room in California. Quite excited. Much of an upgrade, 3 bedroom 2 bath with 8 roommates vs. 4 bedroom 4 bath with 4 roommates:) Vastly different way of living! Exciting to say the least.

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Home on the range, here in Paradise Texas has reminded me of the Texas way of life, the people, the pace of life, the food, the loving from Mom, Pete, and the pups. Texas of course will be again an adjustment since Cali has been home the past two years. I'll need to find my southern accent again, begin to remember to ask for half and half tea unless I'd like to sip on syrup, I have to pull out them cowgirl boots, hit the nail salon for those fake nails, buy me some more hairspray, BUT hey I'm ready, I take it as a challenge, a way to better what I have, and to get the most out of my next chapter in life. I have accepted that, just leaving behind the ocean at your door step is hard to do I suppose! So here is home, home on the range, where the deer and antelope play!

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In final, my plans for the summer are still on. June 14th the wonderful Jen and I depart for Sri Lanka for our Medical Internship. Still thrilled as ever, we ask all to keep us in thoughts and prayers as we do make a journey of a lifetime. Next blog I will be on the other side of the world sharing my life. We can hardly wait!

-Much love to all! 

Hello fellow friends!

What's new with me? Spring break was last week, after a much needed break from school, I can say the pace of life is much different then life on the Cliff. At home, Paradise Texas... We eat a lot, lay on the couch a lot, do a lot of nothing. To say the least it was relaxing, no class to attend, no phone to answer, no roommates to come home to, no dishes or laundry to do:) Life was simple, a frozen feeling, and a great time for me to gather my thoughts, to calm the mind from hours of biology, physiology, psychology, sociology, and all the other "ology's" HA. Which was a relief!
Sooo here is home, hanging with my fambam, my dogs, mom and petey, and our visiter the Grandmother aka "Busia", that I haven't seen in 4 long years. Needless to say a much needed visit.

Face masks.

Snow cones.

Play time.

Old friends.

Lounge time.

Equalling a rather joyful week home on the ranch!

I think the best part about home is the small things that you never noticed until moving off to college. The small things that add up to be such rewarding things.

Having a ceiling fan in each room vs. windows open and hoping to catch a breeze.

Having a dishwasher, and a mother to unload it vs. arguing which of the 7 other roommates left behind their dirty dish.

Having a washing&drying machine at your finger tips vs. lugging your laundry down a flight of stairs hoping you dont drop anything, then realizing you are a quarter to sort, then after fetching a quarter that machine is now taken by one of the other 50 college kids that live in you complex.

SOFT toilet paper vs. toilet paper you are scared to use..I mean is diaper rash really worth it?

A couch vs. couches that reek of oder 24/7:)

Cable TV vs. a huge flat screen to look at.

Dogs, that love you no matter what you say to them vs. 7 other roommates.

Floors you can walk on barefoot vs. floors you dont dare walk upon even with 3 pairs of socks on.

Lastly dinner that is hot, delicious, and waiting for your each evening at 6pm vs. opening the freezer uhhhhh guess I'm eating cereal tonight, oh I dont have milk, ok just cheerios, stale? Oh well? 

Home is plush, simply where the heart is, and thats something that warms me each time I return. Don't get me wrong, I am happy as a bee here at school, but theres just those "small" things in life that really, truly make all the difference in the world. 

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Sri Lanka is growing near, Jen and myself are thrilled each day as we step closer! Enduring the SIX shots that we received in preparation of our journey not so much...three more to go in a month, BUT it will be worth the pain, we're sure of it:)

 Now it's official, on paper and everything!

The saving continues, for shots aren't covered on insurance unfortunately.  

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My Step-Father

Tuesday April 3rd was Pete's day of birth:)

Honestly don't know where to begin on the scale of how incredibly lucky I am to have another father this remarkable in my life. To a man that bends beyond backwards for me, that jumps through hoops, that gets me Christmas presents that I don't even remember asking for until I unwrap it, that always chooses my side over moms, that protects me from all lil boys growing up that dare even looked at me, to the man that has represented the father figure in my life for 15 plus years.

 To my petey, whom I love more than words can describe,Happy Birthday Pops!

-love to all & Happy Easter!